Los Angeles Clippers part with coach Del Negro

LOS ANGELES (AFP) –

Vinny Del Negro talks to Los Angeles Clippers players during a game against the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles on April 1, 2013. The Clippers, ousted in the first round of the NBA playoffs, have said they won’t bring back head coach Del Negro.

The Los Angeles Clippers, ousted in the first round of the NBA playoffs, said they won’t bring back head coach Vinny Del Negro.

“We would like to thank Vinny for everything he did during his three years with the organization,” Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Gary Sacks said on Tuesday.

“Vinny helped this team win a Pacific Division title and we greatly appreciate all that he and his staff helped us accomplish. This was a difficult decision, but we feel this is the best decision for our franchise moving forward.”

Del Negro’s contract expired at the conclusion of the season.

The Clippers were 56-26 this season and won the Pacific Division for the first time in club history.

But they fell in the first round of the playoffs to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Del Negro’s teams improved during each of his three seasons in charge. They were 32-50 in his first year and 40-26 during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 campaign.

Last season, the Clippers reached the second round of the playoffs, beating Memphis in the first round before they were swept by San Antonio.

Del Negro, who played 14 NBA seasons from 1988-2002, also coached the Chicago Bulls for two seasons.